Complete Thread

Ongoing Challenge, no rules, no limits, no prizes...just a warm fuzzy feeling for all!

In the same vein and inspired by the great challenges at the links below that I wholeheartedly encourage you to participate in (and any others like them that I may not know about), I am starting an ongoing Assisted/Senior/Memory/Hospice/Veteran Care Center Release Challenge to encourage my fellow BookCrossers to include these type centers, caregivers of all types, family members, and those who are challenged with being dependent upon others for their care in your book releases, if you are not already doing so...and THANK YOU! The rewards of doing so, knowing full well there may never be a book caught or journaled, go far beyond the immediate joy you bring to those who find a special book on a quiet little corner table, or in an empty chair, or on an inviting little bench in the garden or outdoor area of an Assisted Living, Senior Care, Memory Care, Adult Day Care, or Hospice Living Campus, especially those that provided homes and care for our United States Military Veterans. Land of the Free...BECAUSE of the Brave! OOOHRAH!

Special story to share to inspire ideas. Last year for Christmas 2014, after checking with the staff to see how many Residents and Day Care Adults would be attending the Christmas Lunch at a Center in my home town where I frequently take donations, I found Christmas wrapping paper at the Dollar Store that had a design with the words "From Santa" with a cartoon-like character of him. I emptied three large boxes of books wrapping enough books (and a few extra for family members, visitors, or staff) for the staff to put under the tree and hand out at the luncheon so that every member, including those with no family or friends to be there for them, would have a gift to open. I hadn't thought about turning them into BookCrossing Books at the time, but I will in the future!

THANKS! I use to worry about "what books where" more, but over the years I have found that genre doesn't seem to be a factor, as most people really like to read what they like to read, and they will share or trade with others in the process, which also encourages them to connect with those around them, in their timing, and on their level of comfort. A win-win!

Any and all of the above would be wonderful solittletime! The Arbor Rose Campus is unique in that it is a series of houses that runs a good half mile along a street near one of our major hospitals here in Mesa that is surrounded by medical offices and also a major cancer treatment center. We have a large senior and veteran population, and the senior population literally doubles (or more) in the winter! We also have a Senior Center downtown, and there is a Disabled American Veteran Chapter right down the street from me! Arbor Rose has gated areas within that neighborhood block that provide services for all of the levels of care I mentioned [Assisted Living, Senior/Veteran Care, Memory Care, Adult Day Care, and Hospice Care], but there are many smaller resident, or participant centered homes scattered throughout the city (three that I know of within a half a block from where I am living) that are limited to dedicating their services to only one area of care due to the size of the facility or staff, etc.

I have several Chicken Soup Titles and will be including some of them in an upcoming release to a Women's Center for your Halloween Challenge, but I can't believe I've never seen this one before! It's PERFECT! Even has the Purple Heart Medal (and others) on the cover. I will have to keep my eye out for it. ; )

Multiple Challenge Releases with special handmade Bookmarks reading "HAPPY VETERANS DAY! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!" all at the VA Hospital, one at the VA Doctor's Office, along with a box full of other books (don't have that post ready as yet) left in the lobby waiting area of the Hospital near the popcorn machine with an American Flag and a larger sign reading "FREE BOOKS! HAPPY VETERANS DAY! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!."

Multiple Challenge Veteran's Day Releases with special handmade Bookmarks reading "HAPPY VETERANS DAY! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!" at both the VA Hospital and the Veteran Day Care Center at Arbor Rose.

A fantastic idea! Wish I had seen this Challenge a few weeks ago as I have started releasing a book whenever I can at an assisted living center where I work. Like you, I don't care if they are "caught"---just gives me a good feeling to get the books in the hands of someone who needs comfort.

These Multiple Challenge Wild Releases each included a handmade HAPPY VETERANS DAY! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE! Bookmark, and went along with another Adult Undergarment Donation, which I always include with my Arbor Rose Releases. ; )

133. The Christmas Treasury: A Home for Christmas/Season of Wonder/Sugar and Spice/A Season for Miracles by Laura Marie Altom, Marta Perry, Lynnette Kent, Cynthia Rutledgehttp://www.bookcrossing.com/---/13659339